Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh
Photo: Ofer Amram
Sneh: Curb Iran 'all costs'
Deputy defense minister tells Jerusalem Post about possible military action against Iran 'even the last resort is sometimes the only resort'
The newly-appointed Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh told the Jerusalem Post on Friday that international sanctions against Iran could not guarantee that the Islamic Republic would give up its efforts to acquire nuclear know-how, and Israel must be prepared to prevent a nuclear Iran "at all costs."
"I am not advocating an Israeli preemptive military action against Iran, and I am aware of all of its possible repercussions," Sneh told the newspaper. "I consider it a last resort. But even the last resort is sometimes the only resort."
He warned that under an Iranian nuclear threat many Israeli would fear live in Israel. " I am afraid that under such a threat, most Israelis would prefer not to live here; most Jews would prefer not to come here with their families; and Israelis who can live abroad will. People are not enthusiastic about being scorched," he said.
Speaking to Ynet Sneh said he doesn't recommend military action against Iran but that he is aware of the dangers that lie in wait.
"Iran can harm us and cause great damage, whether through terror it supports, or rockets it fires from Lebanon. We cannot damage it in a symmetrical manner and we need to be able to damage it in a similar manner," he said.
He said he is aware of the damage that can be caused to Israel in a military confrontation with Iran, adding the military action is not his first choice.
